Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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202. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to use a compulsory purchase order in respect of lands at Castletown House in Celbridge County Kildare; if he has engaged with landowners regarding maintaining access from the M4 side of the grounds for public access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39854/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The OPW remains hopeful that a satisfactory arrangement can still be reached which will allow full public access to the site. To this end, on 15th September, the OPW reached an agreement with the current landowner to continue dialogue. On this basis, access through the privately owned lands will continue until at least 29th September. The OPW continues to work, in good faith, to achieve an appropriate outcome that is acceptable to all.

On the matter of a compulsory purchase order, both the OPW and the local authority are seeking legal advice on this matter. It is important to note that the process can take a considerable amount of time. A CPO process is legally complex and it can be particularly challenging to satisfy the conditions that the compulsory purchase of the property is necessary for the common good.